Automobile heating and ventlating apparatus



June 6, 1933. A. B. MODINE 1,913,339

AUTOMOBILE HEATING AND VENTILATING APPARATUS Filed March 7, 1929Patented .lune 6, 1933` l ARTHUR IB. MODINE, OIF RACINE, WISCONSIN,SSGNOR T0 MDINE MANUFACTURING FFICE COMPANY, OF RACINE, WISGONQIN, AUORPURATIG'N 0F WISCONSIN .AUTQIIOBILE 'IHETING AND 'VENTLATINGAPPARATUS Application med Haren 7,1929. semi no. erases.

My invention relates to heating apparatus for automobiles and moreparticularly it relates to devices which utilize the heat energyradiated by internal combustion engines for the heating of the interiorof the automobile v body and which utilizes the travel of theautoutilizing the heat radiated by the power plant of the automobile. l

. Another object of the invention is the provision of Iimproved meansfor trapping a portion of the heat radiated by an engine ofthe classdescribed.

' air `and by induced air currents accelerating A further` object of theinvention is the provision of improved means for conveying radiated heatfrom the power plant into the interior of an automobile body.

A still further` object of the linvention is to provide improved meansfor preheating its circulation through the interior of the automobilebody.

@ther further and more particular objects will become apparent as thedescription proceeds.

Referring now to the drawing forming a part of this specication;

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an 'automobile body equipped with thedevice of my invention;

Fi'g. 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 of Figl;

Fig. 3is a view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. f1 is a view along the line 4 4: of Fig. 3; i

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through means adapted to induce air currentsto pass through the power plant of the automobile and to accelerate itscirculation through the body of the automobile; and

Fig. 6 is an elevationaly view of an automoi bile body showing analternative embodiment of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 generallydesignates an automobile in which a preferred embodiment of the devicecomprising my invention is installed. r1`he automobile 10 has as a partof itspower plant an internal combustion' engine 11. The engine 11 iscooled through the medium of a radiator 12 with which it is connected bypipes or any other suitable means (not shown). A fan 13 is mountedbetween the enginell and the radiator 12 to assist (in the circulationand passage of'air through the radiator.

The device includes a combined heating' and Ventilating system for theautomobile 10, the heating apparatus including a plurality of iins'15shown as integrally formed with a'cylinder head 111 forming a portion ofthe 'dit engine 11. The fins 15 may be separately formed if desired andmay be brazed or otherwise fastened to the cylinder head. ,A cover 16 ispositioned on the top edges of the hns 15 so as to form together with.the ns and cylinder head 14, a plurality of longitudinally extendingducts 26. The front portion of the cover 16 is open as indicated at 16and has a pair of outwardly extending plates forming flared wings 17.The wings 17 tend to direct and deliect a portion of the air, drawnthrough the radiator unit 12 by the action of the fan 13, into andthrough the ducts 26. The air, in passing through the radiator 12,absorbs heat and is further heat-- edby radiation from the iins 15 andthe cylinder head 14. The rear ends of the ducts 26 open into aconstricted neck member 18.

-The construction of the member 18` retards the flow of air through theducts 26 which subjectsthe air to the heat of the lins for a longerperiod of time7 causing the temperature ofthe air to be increased. Theneck member 18 discharges into a pipe 19. The

tirely shut oii vthe flow of air through the conduit.

An inspirator or ejector 22 is mounted underneath the automobile body. Avertical pipe 23 provides means for fastening the ejector 22 to thefloor 27 of the automobile. The pipe 23 projects through the ioor 27 andconnects the ejector 22 with the interior of the automobile body. Theejector 22 is of the Venturi-tube type and has a funnel shaped member 25mounted thereon with its open end projecting forwardly and itsconstricted end discharging into the ejector. The member 25 is intendedto utilize the motion of the automobile in creatin low pressure in theejector22, and to there y produce air currents which accelerate thecirculation throughout the body of the automobile. The

funnel shaped construction of the member 25 adapts it for effectivelygathering air and discharging it through its constricted end portioninto the ejector 22 when the automobileis travelling forwardly or theengine is in operation. rllhe ejector-like action of the members 22 and25 increase the rapidity with which air travels into the automobile bodyfrom the radiator l2 and the engine 11.

lln Fig. 6 I have shown alternative means for discharging air after ithas been heated and circulated through the automobile body. rlhis meansconsists of a duct 28 positioned under the rear seat of the car. Theduct 28 discharges into the low pressure area existing in the rear ofthe automobile body. The existence of such alow pressure area in therear of an advancing automobile is well known and therefore, the duct 28which discharges into the low area operates in the same way as theejector 22 and utilizes the travel of the automobile to induce movementof air currents through the automobile body.

Having thus described my invention, it is obvious that variousimmaterial modifications may be made in the same without departing fromthe spirit of my invention; hence, I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact form, construction, arrangement andcombination of parts herein described and shown,'or uses mentioned.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

An automobile heaterY comprised of a plurality of longitudinallyextending fins integral with and projecting upwardly from the cylinderhead of the engine of the vehicle and a box-like cover member adapted tobe associated with said lins to provide a plurality of longitudinallyextending air passages which communicate with the interior of thevehicle body, said box-like member being open at one side and at one endand having a wall provided at the opposite end, said wall having anaperture adapted to com- AR B. MGDINE.

municate with the interior of the vehicle body, the sides of saidbox-like member being

